Co-ops

1. Worker-Owned Cooperatives

Worker-Owned Cooperatives are businesses in which the company is owned and managed by the workers themselves. Among other things, this means that the workers share in the profits (or losses) equitably. In other words, Worker-Owned Cooperatives are a form of democracy applied directly to the rhythm of daily life at the workplace. There are over 40 Massachusetts-based Worker-Owned Cooperatives and Democratic Workplaces registered in the United States Federation of Worker-Owned Cooperatives’ and Democracy and Work Institute’s Directory. We intend to infuse Massachusetts’ growing Co-op community with the energy, direction, and focus that only our youth can bring to the table!

Please visit the pages of the Worker-Owned Cooperatives we are currently supporting:

Worker-Owned Cooperatives are one of several types of “Cooperative Solutions” we help youth and young adults in our community create through our 24-week Co-op Academy. If you and a small group of peers have a business idea or a vision to organize and improve your community by building a youth-powered enterprise, we encourage you to contact us or sign up for our next Co-op Academy.

To learn more about Worker-Owned Cooperatives, visit the United States Federation of Worker-Owned Cooperatives.

2. Serve-The-People (STP) Co-ops

Serve-The-People (STP) Co-ops are a type of Cooperative Solution designed to provide direct services to the community. These co-ops are envisioned, planned, and operated by our youth and young adult members, showcasing how young people can take organized, concrete actions to address immediate needs through principles of Mutual Aid and Solidarity. STP co-ops not only meet critical needs but also serve as a model for empowering people—especially youth—to actively shape and improve their communities. They are partially sustained through revenue generated by our Worker-Owned Cooperatives.

Please visit the pages of the STP programs currently being run by our youth and young adult members:

If you’re a young person in the City of Worcester interested in volunteering with one of our existing Serve-The-People (STP) Co-ops, we encourage you to contact us. If you’d like support in envisioning, organizing, and funding your own STP program, apply to our next Co-op Academy. Through this 24-week curriculum, you’ll gain the skills, knowledge, and access to our support network to bring your ideas to life and make a meaningful impact in your community.